5 Available bargain free agents that could help the NY Giants in 2020

4. EDGE Markus Golden

Somehow, someway, Markus Golden has remained on the free-agent market all the way into June despite putting up the second double-digit sack season of his five-year career. Golden is undoubtedly frustrated with the lack of interest around the NFL and has to be wondering what he has to do to secure a big-time contract.

Unfortunately for the high-effort, team leader, that big contract doesn’t seem like it’s on the horizon for him this year. There are a few theories as to why that contract hasn’t transpired; first, that his sacks are mainly ‘hustle sacks’ (like that’s a bad thing), and second, that he has an injury history.

Golden tore his ACL all the way back in 2017 and showed it has no bearing on his ability to play at a high level after balling out with Big Blue in 2019. At 29-years-old, time is running out for the fan-favorite to secure a big deal and it’s understandable that he hasn’t wanted to settle for some of the low ball offers he’s received.

Unfortunately, he may end up having to take another prove-it deal (hopefully with the NY Giants) to once again prove he is an elite pass rusher.

The NY Giants pulled a savvy move when they slapped the rarely used ‘May 5 tender’ on him which guarantees them his rights should he not be signed before July 22nd for 110% of his 2019 salary which works out to about $5.1M.

Obviously, this isn’t a great scenario for Golden and you have to feel for the player as he’s given his all and produced at the NFL level. However, for the NY Giants, this would be a home run, and should he put together a monster season they would pretty much have to throw him the bag in 2021.

In my mind, a compromise could be made between Golden and the Giants to find a number in the middle o that $5.1M and the number he’s looking for.

It might not be the total number Golden wants, but it may be the best he can get at this time.